Policies

Find out more about
Heron's worldwide
training and
assessment

Fees and Charges

Non-government funded delivery fees:

Qualification Fees, and any other additional charges that may
be required for each qualification, will be specified on an
Individual case by case basis. Heron Assess delivers training
on-the-job, with occasional face-to-face classroom sessions,
as necessary. As such, each case will be different based on
the individual applicants needs. Applicant numbers of 10 or
more at one time attract a special reduction in fees.

Non-government funded ‘assessment only’ fees:

The costs associated with assessment only fees or recognition of prior learning applications will encompass the assessor’s time, the review and recording associated with the various assessment documentation, the pre and post assessment liaison and the issuing of an AQF Certificate for successful candidates or a Statement of Attainment for candidates who fail to meet the required criteria.

For further clarification on how fees may be calculated to meet your needs please don’t hesitate to contact us

Government Funded delivery fees:

Fees for courses are charged at the rate set by the Ministerial Fee Guidelines for all government funded programs.

Additional charges may be made for activities which are additional to HERON ASSESS’s delivery, for example, specific tickets required to participate in a specific field of employment. All fees may be paid by regular instalments for the duration of the program. However, certificates will not be issued until fees are paid in full.

A concession fee is available regardless of the length of the course. If you feel a participant/student/trainee may be eligible for a concession, please see the Training Manager for a student fee waiver form. Evidence may include a current Health Care card, Pension card, etc.

If a participant/student/trainee wishes to do only some units, instead of the whole course, fees are calculated in the same way. However, a concession fee would only be charged once for any number of units from the same course.

Should a participant/student/trainee undertake units of an accredited course in a number of venues, but delivered under the auspices of HERON ASSESS; they will only need to pay the maximum course fee, or concession fee, once within one calendar year.

A refund can only be paid to a participant/student/trainee who has completed less than four weeks of a course and reasons for requesting a refund must be submitted in writing to the Training Manager.

Complaints & Appeals

The complaints and appeals policy of HERON ASSESS ensures that all complaints are dealt with in a constructive and timely manner. Any complaints and appeals received are reported on a weekly basis. They are addressed based on the actions required, to arrive at a satisfactory outcome for each complaint and grievance. Further details on our complaints and appeals procedures are included below:

Staff members

On receiving a complaint Herron Asses employees shall advise the complainant that their grievance will be reported at the next RTO employee meeting
The employee shall raise a Client feedback form to identify the complainants’ grievance in an accurate manner.
The Herron Assess employee shall advise the complainant that their grievance, if not satisfactorily answered by the RTO or its staff representative, may request an ‘independent adjudicator’

PRINCIPAL / RTO staff representative

On receiving a Client feedback form detailing a grievance, the PRINCIPAL or RTO staff representative will discuss the nature and identify the cause of the grievance and identify the appropriate cause of action to satisfy the complainant’s grievance
The PRINCIPAL will complete the Client feedback form recording the proposed solution and advise the complainant of the proposed solution
The advice to the complainant shall include information and procedures concerning the complainant’s right to appeal the proposed solution and request for an independent adjudicator
In the event the complainant is dissatisfied with the proposed solution the PRINCIPAL or RTO staff representative shall advise the complainant that an independent adjudicator shall be sought to consider the nature of the complaint and a possible further resolution
The selection of an independent adjudicator shall be managed by the PRINCIPAL or RTO staff representative and be by mutual agreement with the complainant
All independent adjudicator outcomes will be reported to the next scheduled RTO staff meeting documented within the minutes and filed for future reference.
All independent adjudicator outcomes will be communicated to the complainant in a timely manner.

Independent Adjudicator

On the receipt of the original Client feedback form and an independent adjudicator form, the Independent adjudicator shall contact the complainant to arrange a satisfactory time to meet and discuss the grievance in question
The outcome of the arranged meeting between the complainant and the independent adjudicator shall be communicated in writing to the next scheduled meeting of HERON ASSESS management
There shall be no fee for service provided to the independent adjudicator except where travel or office expenses are encountered.

Refund Policy

Refund Policy (Government Funded Program)

If a student withdraws, by written notice, from a government-funded course at any time up until 4 weeks after the commencement of classes in that course, then HERON ASSESS will refund the tuition fee paid in respect of the course less the minimum charge and any other fees and charges paid by or on behalf of the student.
If a student gives written notice to the HERON ASSESS at any time up until 4 weeks after commencement of classes in a government-funded course that he or she proposes to withdraw from the course to take up a place at another educational institution and withdraws from the course within 4 weeks of the commencement of classes in that course to take up such a place, then HERON ASSESS will refund the full tuition fee and any other fees and charges paid by or on behalf of the student. This applies when the course being undertaken exceeds 10 weeks duration.
If HERON ASSESS cancels a government-funded course at any time during the period of the student's enrolment, then HERON ASSESS will refund the full tuition fee, the pro-rata portion of any compulsory non-academic fee, subscription or charge and any fees for materials that have not been used in the course prior to the date of cancellation.

Non-Government Funded Program

Fees paid in advance that exceed one month in advance shall be placed in the HERON ASSESS trust account at the first banking opportunity.
HERON ASSESS will not refund fees paid in advance unless training cancellation INCLUDES more than 14 days notice in writing.
The following percentage of refund will apply to all training cancellations:
Where 20% or less of the assessment has been provided to the student a 100% refund less $200.00 admin fee will apply. o Where less than 50% of the assessment has been provided to the student a 50% refund less $200.00 admin fee will apply.
Where 50% or more of the assessment has been provided to the student no refund will apply. o If during an assessment process, HERON ASSESS becomes aware that the documentation presented is not bona-fide, no refund will be provided for expenses incurred by HERON ASSESS.
In the event of an unsuccessful assessment application, no monies paid in relation to travel and accommodation will be refunded.

Access & Equity Policy

The staff of HERON ASSESS provide assistance to all clients to identify and achieve their desired outcomes. HERON ASSESS is committed to providing training and Assessment Services to all client. regardless of race, religion, sex, socio-economic status, disability, language, literacy or numeracy.

The access and equity policy of HERON ASSESS is provided within the Code of Practice displayed within the HERON ASSESS Reception area.
Special client needs will be identified through initial contact with reception staff, receipt of application materials, and orientation events prior to the commencement of training and or assessment.
All HERON ASSESS staff in following HERON ASSESS access and equity procedures must follow the principles of fairness and flexibility in workplace assessment.
Where a conflict between other HERON ASSESS policies is recognized in applying HERON ASSESS access and equity policy, the staff member will report the conflict to HERON ASSESS Management.
Upon reasonable request and 7 days notice HERON ASSESS administrative staff shall provide a student with access to their personal student records and re-issue statements of attainment or qualifications achieved.
Interim information, regarding your status within the qualification you are undertaking, will be provided within 7 days of receiving a client‘s written request.

AQF Recognition Policy

following HERON ASSESS recognises similar qualifications and statements of attainment issued by any other RTO’s and communicates this recognition through information provided to potential and enrolling candidates.

Credit transfer applications received by HERON ASSESS staff shall be forwarded to the next scheduled RTO staff meeting for consideration and approval.